1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated February 15, 2022Defense Primer: Department of Defense Civilian EmployeesBackground Federal employment evolved into a civil service system in the late 1800s. It replaced a spoils system that allowed each presidential administration to appoint its political sup
2、porters as federal employees. Congress established the current federal civil service system with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-454). Its primary features are merit-based hiring and merit system principles. Civil Service The civil service consists of three subservices: competitive, ex
3、cepted, and senior executive. The competitive service is the largest and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers it. The excepted service is distinguishable by its agency-level administration and selection procedures. The senior executive service (SES) is less than one percent of the ci
4、vil service. OPM centrally manages SES selections with its merit staffing procedure and qualifications review board (QRB). The QRB must verify and certify an SES aspirants executive core qualifications (ECQs). While OPM generally oversees the civil service, the following entities have specific overs